WASHINGTON (WWJ/AP) - The Biden administration has offered the Kremlin a deal to secure the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and imprisoned Michigander Paul Whelan, the Associated Press reported Wednesday afternoon.
As reported by the AP, Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that he has been asked to speak with his Russian counterpart to bring home the two Americans.
"In the coming days, I expect to speak with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov for the first time since the war began," Blinken said. "I plan to raise an issue that is a top priority for us: the release of Americans Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner who've been wrongfully detained."
The statement marked the first time the U.S. government has publicly revealed any concrete action it has taken to secure the release of Griner.
It is also the first move made by the U.S. to bring home Whelan, a former Marine and Metro Detroit native.
"When it comes it our efforts to secure the return home of Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, you'll understand I can't and wont' get into any of the details of what we proposed to the Russian over the course of many weeks now," Blinken said.
Whelan, who is a resident of Novi, was arrested in 2018 while he was in Russia on allegations of being a spy for the U.S. Whelan has adamantly denied all allegations and Russian officials have never presented evidence against him publicly.
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Whelan has served three and a half years of his 16 year sentence in a Russian labor camp where he remains to this day.
His brother, David, told WWJ's Roberta Jasina and Jonathon Carlson back in April that his parents, who live in Washtenaw County, are able to speak with Paul every day on the phone and it sounds like he is doing the best he can.
Whelan's family has grown more vocal about securing his release after the U.S. brought home former another American and former Marine, Trevor Reed, in April of 2022.
"Why do certain Americans get left behind while others are free?" David asked at the time.
Family members had previously claimed Griner is being treated differently due to her basketball stardom. Griner, who plays in Russia during the Phoenix Mercury’s offseason, was arrested in February for allegedly possessing cannabis.
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She was detained at a Russian airport and authorities said she had vape cartridges that contained hashish oil.
At this time, it remains unclear what or who the Biden Administering is offering and whether it will be enough for Russia to release the Americans.
Reports suggest the U.S. is offering a convicted Russian arms dealer in exchange for Whelan and Griner.